Sunday, July 30, 2006

Sunday at the Potsdamer Platz

Greetings from Berlin. I'm currently at the Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, Germany. Potsdamer Platz used to be one of Berlin's commercial centers until it was leveled during the war, and subsequently turned into a no-mans land by the wall for 50 years. Yet in the last 10 years it has undergone an incredible revival to once again become one of Berlin's most bustling areas. While I wanted to do work here this afternoon, I've found myself taking advantage of the internet access to just randomly surf for the first time in 2 weeks, as well as serving as the defacto computer guru for the dozens of other people who brought their laptops, but can't seem to get wifi.


My view from the Alex Cafe in the Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz.

The roof of the center.

My pretentious "work picture."  Posted by Picasa

Saturday, July 08, 2006

Fun with the family, or My Brother Woobie: A Photo Essay

While at home I of course had lots of quality family time, especially with my little brother woobie. In addition to still being tight with a buck, woobie has also picked up the habit of talking like Samuel L. Jackson. In other words, he drops the F-Bomb a lot. Now I'm not just saying he drops a MoFo here and there, I'm saying casual conversation in our household now passes for "Yo Mom WTF?!?! Thats Bull S***!" So, if you see woobie, just tell him he needs new shoes.

Friday, July 07, 2006


Grandma: "You know, you could be makin' $50,000 a year cleaning port-a-potties. You don't even need a college education for that! How much are you making as a grad-student?"

Dad was saying something kind of funny here, but I can't remember now. I suppose that's why I shouldn't wait 2 months to blog about something.

Woobie likes to eat, and he's apparently pretty good at it too. He's in the finals for the 97 Rock Chicken Wing eating contest. Next thing you know, he'll be challenging that Japanese dude for the title.

This is still the cheapest man on the planet. It shames me deeply that such a cheap bastard is advertising a fine institution like the University of Minnesota. If you see him though, tell him he really needs new shoes.

I think he's starting to get pissed at me here. Either that, or he's giving me some wierd, "Woobie look."

He's getting madder... this is like watching a tea kettle boil! I really don't think the U would be happy if they knew they were associated with such an individual.

work it, work it...

I am sooooooo stoned right now...

You can tell we're having a barn-burner of a conversation here.

Gotta stay clean fo da laaadies!

I'm cool as a cucumber, you can't phase me with all the pictures. Look at those big ole' slots in my cheeks.

Mom! Tell him to quit taking pictures of me!

Wow! Look at the size of that booger!

Mission complete! We have a visual F-Bomb! In front of Grandma nonetheless!!!! Oh woobie... Posted by Picasa

It's Always Hockey Time in My World

So, I'm starting to hear it about not regularly updating, so I've decided to work through the litany of pictures I took over the past month. Hell, it beats writing my prelim exam. These pictures are from the end of May when I took a road trip to Raleigh, NC to Game 5 of the Eastern Conference NHL finals. Sadly, Buffalo lost the game, and eventually the series, but that did not prevent this from being one helluva fun trip. Enjoy...


Navigator Woobie

Big Ed the driver

Freddie Funbags, the studious scholar

Self portrait of me, the spirit of the trip

We drove through hillbilly country.

"Excuse me, what exactly does the buffet consist of?"

No place like Shoney's for breakfast buffet.

Excuse Me, what exactly does the buffet consist of?

On the journey, woobie was an avid video gamer.

As was Freddie. If you go to his blog, you'll see that as they were gaming, I was doing my Kanye West impression.

Before the game, we went sight seeing in down town Raleigh.

RBC Center, you'll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villany...

Fred insisted I take this one, because I'm a TA.

True hockey fans...

These dudes asked the ticket lady if the game was sold out. We didn't hear her answer, but they burst out lauging, so I'll assume it was no.

Big Ed and Woobie fraternizing with the enemy in a sea of red. So embarassing...

I made up for their pathetic display of Buffalo pride.

Arena shot. I didn't like it.

Buffalonians brought the mayhem. We made our city proud!

Dear old dad did not know what to make of the chaos! Posted by Picasa

Monday, July 03, 2006

Weekend in Wisconsin

I just got back from a night of camping in Wisconsin with a group of 18th century American historical re-enacters. An absolutely fascinating two days. If I can get off my lazy butt, perhaps I'll post the pictures I took. In the mean time, I thought I would add that the weekend also lent itself to a new found appreciation of Zydeco music (the re-enacter camp was connected to a local festival, that happened to feature a three day Zydeco festival). You haven't lived until you've heard Golddigger - a la Zydeco.

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Robert Randolph and the Family Band

I just found out that Robert Randolph and the Family Band are playing Thursday at the Square on July 27. Sadly, I will not be in Buffalo to see this (I'll be in Germany), but I want to encourage those of you who will be there to go to this show. Robert Randolph is an amazing steel pedal guitarist, and consistently puts on a great live show.

So, Joe, Fred, Scott and Dave, please see this one for me.